My Journal... (Oct 2008 - Dec 2008)
Email: slimming4health@dodo.com.au
Curent Weight Loss Progress
Weight Watcher's Starting Weight : 119.2kg
Lowest Weight Achieved: 89.5kg (Lost 29.7kg)
Immediate Pre-Pregnant Weight: 94kg
Pregnancy Gain: Up 27kg to 121kg
Restart Weight: 111.4kg (2wks post birth)
Weight Watcher's Goal Weight: 76kg
Personal Goal Weight: Pending
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Me & my boys :)
Friday 26th December 2008....
Yes people....I am still alive :)
I cannot even begin to tell you how much trouble my computer has been giving me these past few weeks. That and...with the lead up to Christmas, shopping, preparing, taking the boys to all things Christmas, entertaining etc....not to mention the big day itself. Well let's just say many other things have had to take a back seat for a while.
Merry Christmas for yesterday everyone. I hope you all had a wonderful day as we did here.
I've just completed an update on both Talyn and Caleb's pages all about what's been happening of late as well as how our Christmas day and the lead up went also. Rather then repeat it all here pop on over to the boys page if you are interested in hearing all about the big day :)
Once the new computer is set up I'll go back and add our Christmas pic's to share and I'll do an entry here to let you know when that's complete.
Now...the good news....I'm finally getting my new computer...RIGHT NOW! As I sit down to do this update Simon is out buying it at the Boxing Day sales ($999 all up for a 2.4 GHZ, 500 G hard drive and 4096 MB ram with 19" flat screen monitor, keyboard, mouse etc, the works!) Should be fantastic. Our current one is about 6 or 7 years old so is well and truly due for an update. Every day it plays up on me and I'm sorely tempted to throw it out the window!!! Instead....Caleb will have it in his room He can play games on it, use the 'paint' feature and watch DVD's on it. We haven't told him yet but oh boy will he be excited!!! :)
So I'm hear today to say I will sadly still be offline for a week or so yet. We have to get everything moved over to the new computer and set up again and that takes a while. Then I have to set up my website builders etc all over again so please bear with me :)
I'll come back and update here as soon as I'm done. If it is after NYE then I'll have a link on this page that you can use to follow to the new page for January 2009. Thanks for your patience and understanding.
FINALLY, with my new, ALWAYS WORKING computer I'll be able to update every day again. I can't wait!!! Weight and exercise is just one of the many aspects of my life that seem to be in free-fall right now so I'm looking forward to knuckling down again on both in the new year. Being New Year's Resolution time I'm sure I won't be the only one ;)
I'll also be running a new challenge in January. Stay tuned here for more details.
Don't give up on me .... I'll be back ASAP better than ever!!!!
TFTD: "Merry Christmas everyone and may all your dreams come true in 2009!!!"
Cheers P
Wednesday 10th December 2008....
I know I've been really slack on my updates lately and my only excuse....silly season! *wink*
Everything is just so ridiculously busy this time of year that it feels like I never get a chance to get on top of things. My house is in desperate need of some thorough cleaning too. I mean I get the day to day things like dishes/floors/washing etc done but the other jobs like dusting and cleaning windows and blinds etc...not to mention how long I've been meaning to get stuck into Caleb's wardrobe and the boys toybox.
I've decided I need to tackle this in an organised way. Today I'm going to write a list of all the jobs I want to get done. Then each day I am going to set myself the task of just one item off the list. If I do two or three that's great but if not then at the very least I'm making slow and steady progress and I'll feel like I'm finally getting somewhere.
This morning....before I had my shower, I got stuck into the ensuite with the old spray and wipe, cleaning the basin/tiles/mirrors etc while I had the opportunity with the boys asleep. Next I got stuck into some bill paying on line and finally wrote up a detailed list of all my direct debits so I knew what was coming out when. (I got my govt baby bonus today too which made paying some extra bills mighty nice!).
Then I came straight on here to do a quick update. I know it's not much but each day I end up saving doing this until I have plenty of time and ....since I never have plenty of time - much less any time to myself - I never get it done. So I told myself just to get on and do it then it's done. Later today then, IF I find some more time (I'm thinking Talyn's nap time) I'm coming back on to finish the boys updates. I have plenty to say for them both and I want to get their pages up to date before the Xmas entries come round.
Then this weekend I have some BIG jobs that I've been putting off that come hell or high water I'm going to get done. First is my long overdue BAS return for the tax department that was due at the end of October! Second will be Caleb's wardrobe. They are both big jobs that I always save to the weekend so I can do them in peace while Simon had some time with the boys but weekend after weekend rolls by and I never get them done. This weekend is my weekend!!!!
We also have Carol's by Candlelight in the park this Saturday night. Caleb is in his final week of school this week with all the extra's and special events that brings. Simon also has the first of many work Xmas parties this Friday night also so at least I'll be home for a change on a Friday night and maybe I could tackle some extra chores then.
I know it sounds like I'm getting no where fast but I am making progress for many of the usual Xmas chores. I've done my (newly limited) Xmas card posting for the year. I've done all Caleb's school Xmas cards with him (25 of them thank you very much each with a candy cane inside). We had the boys Santa photo's done last weekend (see below left)....and we got all our out of town Xmas gifts posted off this week too. I've sorted all the boys presents out and made sure I've finished everything and I only need wrap them now and pick up the trampoline off lay-buy.
Ahhh Christmas time huh?!!!! tee-he
Then Simon's mother also moved to the middle of nowhere yesterday (like SERIOUSLY whoop-whoop!) and she had a few days staying with us before doing so and Simon had many chores to do at her house prior to her move out which has kept us very busy also and out of normal routine.
Amongst it all I didn't weigh in this week but....you get that :)
I'll let you know here when the boys updates are finally completed for those who wish to visit them.
Have a great hump day everyone!!
TFTD: "The smallest good deed is greater than the grandest intention!!!!!"
Cheers P
Thursday 4th December 2008....
Once again the stupid 'n' key on my keyboard is not working!! Aaargh!!! It drives me crazy and makes for very slow progress to copy one in every time I use one. So although I'd planned a nice long chat today I'll have to keep this brief now instead. Oh how I need to win the lotto and buy myself a nice new computer that works!!!! *wink*
I weighed in on Tuesday this week as has become my usual day. I knew it was going to be close...REAL CLOSE...but I was still surprised to see a big fat zero change on the scales. Exactly the same as last week 101.0kg. Don't get me wrong...I was VERY pleased not to gain...but even a little loss of 0.1kg would have been nice because then I could have achieved my next goal of under 101.xkg. Oh well...I guess there is always this week. Maybe if I worked really really hard I could even get under 100kg again and achieve two goals in one week!!!
I didn't quite make my water goal last week either (see 'next goals' to left of this entry)...but I did succeed 5 days out of 7 to drink 600ml of water each day. That's 3L of straight water for the week which is quite an improvement considering my normal weekly water intake would be none at all!! Or maybe one glass if I was lucky. I didn't find it too hard to do either so this week I'm going to try my hardest to achieve it every single day so I can achieve that goal next week too!!!
For any of you who follow my Stats page you may have noticed that my weight loss graph has not been updated lately. That was yet another thing I lost in our most recent computer crash so I have to create a whole new one. That takes a little while to do for me to input all the stats into it again but I should have it all done sometime this weekend.
I've also begun a new update for each of the boys (Lot's of exciting things to report for Talyn especially this month)...and I'd hoped to get those done today before I go to work but without my dreaded 'n' key that's just near impossible!! It comes and goes all the time so I can only hope it will return tomorrow. In any case I'll let you know here when they are all done :)
Tomorrow....if all is working right I'll have a much better chat to you as there is more I want to say but either I stop now or I throw this useless computer out the window. Hmmm probably best I stop now huh? *tee-he-he*
TFTD: "You have to get up every morning with determination if you are going to go to bed with satisfaction!!!!!"
Cheers P
Thursday 27th November 2008....
4 days into my water challenge now and 4 days done successfully!
I know it's only 600ml a day and to most people, particularly those trying to lose weight that doesn't seem hardly anything...but to me who is lucky to drink 600ml a week if that....it's a good start :)
On Tuesday afternoon we went out to the cemetery as a family to lay some flowers for my mom. When we pulled up there, we saw a family of 8 huge kangaroo's and a couple of Joey's all camped out on the grass around mom's stone - freaky!!! The boys loved it and Talyn proceeded to do his imitation of a kangaroo hop all over the place. It was so cute and funny and really lightened the mood. I'm sure mom would have had a chuckle at the sight of her youngest grandson (she only got to meet 1 of her 6 grandkids) hop-hop-hopping around as best he could in this jolty, half hop motion. Cute!
Well....back to work again tonight for the second shift this week. I have a feeling of blank reservation towards it. I gotta go, gotta get through it....so I just accept it as a necessary evil that stands in between me and my Fridays! *wink*
Catchya!!!! :)
TFTD: "Do not let what you cannot do interfere with what you can do!!!!!"
Cheers P
Tuesday 25th November 2008....
R.I.PLorraine - beautiful motherBorn 19/12/1947 Died 25/11/1995Aged 47yrs.Sadly missed.....love P and her boysMonday 24th November 2008....
Finally!!! It's taken me 5 re-starts of my computer to get this website builder open...it drives me crazy!!! That's a factor in why I've not been updating as much lately. I'm hanging out so bad until we can afford our new computer soon as this one gives me the willy's!!!!! :)
Plus I've just been crazy busy and today is no exception. As you know I usually work only Thursday evenings...but last week I agreed to go up to two shifts a week (2.30-11.00pm Mon & Thurs) as of January 5th. Simon is just too busy before then to take any more time off work to get home with the boys so I can go to work. However this morning the call centre phoned dam near begging I work tonight so I told them I could get there at 6pm at the earliest and work 6-11pm if that was of any use to them. Clearly it was...as I am! D'oh! *wink* Still....it's like $200 extra for tonight so I can hardly turn that down when money is really tight at the moment. Also a 5hr shift won't seem half as awful as the usual 8.5hrs so all up I think I made the right decision.
It did de-rail my plans of exercise this afternoon but it will kind of help anyway because I barely get a chance to sit still at work so it will be heaps of incidental exercise, plus takes me well away from the temptations of my fridge and kitchen for the night so it's all good. I will be cursing myself tomorrow morning though when I have to get up at 5am for exercise after only 5hrs sleep but it is weigh-in day tomorrow so I can't afford to slack off. Especially since I've been TOTALLY slack with exercise this week and not done any. Any!!!! Yikes I've got to get back into it ASAP.
As you know I achieved my goal (see left) last week of not weighing in on my home scales all week! I can't say I've stayed off them this week but I have decided to have another go at ignoring them this coming week again. I think it actually did help a bit so after tomorrow mornings weigh-in...they must disappear again for the next week. Should be ... interesting :)
I've also got to really get back into some intensive exercise again next week.....6-7hrs a week at least like I'd been doing until I dropped off in the last fortnight or so. gotta do the hard work to get the good results.
I'm also giving myself a new challenge - a desperately needed one - a water challenge!!!! I literally go a week or two between drinks of water and it's not only making good health and weight loss harder but it's also needed to help rid me of cellulite. And that's not even counting all the negative effects of the diet cola that runs through my veins ;) But since I do drink so little water I need to start small. 600ml a day. That's my goal. I made it yesterday and today is day 2. I hope to achieve it every day this week then build the amount up in subsequent weeks. Keep you posted.
Ok...well I'd best get myself organised for work tonight. Tomorrow is weigh-in day but it is also a very sad day for me. My beautiful mom passed away 13yrs ago tomorrow on Nov 25th 1995. She was only 47yrs old. Be it 13 months or 13 years I miss her so each and every day :( We'll make a special family trip out to the cemetery tomorrow to lay flowers on her grave. It's hardly a pleasant way to remember my mom but it's all I have :(
TFTD: "Stand still and watch the world go by - and it will!!!!!"
Cheers P
Tuesday 18th November 2008....
Well.....I did it!!!
I went to my first ever weigh-in with no idea of what I would weigh. I achieved my goal of not weighing-in even once all week at home (and not having Simon peak like the one other week I tried this months ago). I cannot tell you what a HUGE achievement this was for me.
And...I was rewarded to boot!
A 0.8kg loss for me this week....Hoorah! That put's me in line to reach my next goal next week I hope (see goal box to left).
Yey!!!! :)
TFTD: "All good things come to those who weight/wait!!!!!"
Cheers P
Sunday 17th November 2008....
Well I really don't have much to say today but in the interests of daily updates I thought I should say something at least *wink* Especially since my letter 'n' on the keyboard is actually working today and I can type freely - unlike yesterday!
One thing I can tell you is that today is our anniversary. Not our wedding anniversary so we are not celebrating or exchanging gifts but....today....16yrs ago Simon and I became a couple. 16yrs!!! Yikes that's gone fast...and boy how old do I feel...tee-he. So in the interests of another happy 16yrs together I'd best not spend too long on the computer tonight instead of with him!
I'm still waiting for the last few challenge stats to trickle in so if you owe me one, pretty please get it to me ASAP so I can get it all finalised. Then I'll get organised and get the page ready for the next challenge in January which will be the New Year Challenge. Gosh knows we all can do with a bit of accountability that time of year to undo some Xmas damage.
Speaking of accountability...I'm pretty sure I'm going to weigh-in tomorrow morning. But I'm scared. VERY scared!!! As you know my goal this week is not to weigh on my home scales AT ALL!! If I can achieve it this will be only the second time in memory that I have done so. Thing is I don't know if I should weigh in tomorrow or hold out until Wednesday nights meeting???? Usually that decision would be based on whether or not I was expecting a loss or if I needed another day to get the numbers in my favour. This week I have no idea!! I did have a big weekend....but I have noticed my appetite has been less during the day of late so.....????
Yikes! It's scary giving up my scale vice. I think tomorrow I should just go anyway and see what happens. I've done very little exercise this week - especially since the rain all day ruined my plans of an hours lawn mowing this arvo. So that plus the big weekend probably means I should gain tomorrow....but it's killing me not knowing. If I do gain I won't be surprised. However I do want to challenge myself to this no scale option again soon only during a week when I work all out to get a big result.
Christmas is fast approaching and I really need to get a move on with my goals for that!!!!! Plus I'm SO OVER being 100kg plus!!! Aaaargh!!! :)
TFTD: "Well done is better than well said!!!!!"
Cheers P
Sunday 16th November 2008....
Yikes! I've been meaning to sit down every day this week to do an update yet every day something kept coming up. Usually the stupid 'n' key on my keyboard not working as it is also not working now!! Aaargh it drives me crazy and makes for very slow progress to copy one in every time I use one. We so so need a new computer but sadly unless the money fairy pays us a visit that aint gonna happen any time soon!
So because I do need to keep it brief when it's like this I'll quickly catch up on the last week. First of all weigh-in. I cannot tell you how FURIOUS I was with myself on Tuesday morning. I was bored out of brain with nothing to do so the bright spark that I am (not!) decided I may as well go to WW and weigh-in to fill some time. I had planned to weigh-in Wednesday night but oh no....I just had to go early didn't I?
So you can imagine my self directed anger when I weighed in that day earlier and registered a gain of 0.1kg!!!!!
not that 0.1kg was so bad in itself...it's just that as my period had just arrived and I had a extra day up my sleeve I know I would have had a much better loss if I'd have waited just one more day to weigh-in. Also that teeny 0.1kg gain brought me back to a dead on zero loss for the Spring has Sprung Challenge. Ok I didn't gain but I did have a goal to lose at least something so I was so mad at myself!!!
But...Anyhoo.....such is life. no use complaining about that now :)
This week I'm focusing on a new challenge (see goals box to left of this entry)....no weighing in at home!!!! I have only ever achieved this one other week in my life that I can remember....and you may recall that the week in question I was so strict, so careful, tracked, exercised, turned up for a big surprise...and got nothing! In fact I think I even gained!!!! I was so bitterly disappointed that I didn't dare try it again....until now :)
I must admit I am a TOTAL scale addict!! I weigh myself naked, then often dressed as well every single morning. Then I'd often weigh again most nights also. I just can't help myself. I told myself it helped keep me on track....but that's only half true. Yes...if the numbers looked bad it helped me to be really disciplined for the day....but if they were good the old evil mentality would creep in, telling me 'It's ok...you've got some leeway, have that extra snack" etc. Simon is always offering to take them away so this week I let him. At first it was unsettling for me not to weigh, but as the days go by (they were taken away on Tuesday), well I kind of just forgot about them. I think of them once or twice a day but that's it. I'm not tempted to look for them or to beg for their return. I'll just wait for my official weigh-in. I've had a big weekend so I may even gain but without knowing for myself that already I feel a strange calm about it. I'm just going to go along and take whatever comes. It may seem like a small goal to many but to me this is HUGE!!!
Ok....this 'n' is driving me TOTALLY CRAZY!!! Must leave it here for today. Don't forget to check out my new Food Finds page here as mentioned in the previous post.
For anyone with outstanding challenge results....please get them in to me ASAP so that I can finalise this challenge and begin to prepare for the new one which will begin in January for those with a new year focus to lose those kilo's :) Stay tuned for more on that as we apporach the time.
TFTD: "Success is a journey, not a destination!!!!!"
Cheers P
Monday 10th November 2008....
I've been busy creating a new page for this site in the last few days.
I always like to share any new food finds with you all so now I've created a new page called just that - Food Finds! This is a page were I will post photo's (if possible) and nutritional info and points value for any great new and low point food I discover or that I find helpful :)
Today I added the Skinny Cow ice-creams I mentioned last week and also two new finds.
'Homai' have a new range of 'Healthy Selections' that get the Heart Foundation tick of approval. This week I have been loving the Thai Chicken Tasty Wraps and the Chicken and Corn mini Dim Sims. The wraps are basically like oven baked spring rolls but oh so tasty and only 1 point each - so 6pt's for the whole box!!! I had them as a lunch with a sweet chilli dipping sauce and it tasted so good!
The mini Dim Sims come in a box of 15 and are only 5.5pt's for the whole box! Now these are teeny tiny so don't worry about how much 15 of them sound like but again...Yummo!!!
Check out the pic's and nutritional info here at the Food Finds page. Oh and for those of you who are interested each box cost around $4.60 from memory.
I've also created a new goal box (left) to always keep my latest goals in mind. I truly believe that by focusing on the little steps we can inch our way to the finish line bit by bit. Hence my next to achievable goals are highlighted in the box to the left.
Here's hoping I have luck with one of them this week! Or even both!!!!
I've also added an updated snap of me and my boys (again...to the left)
I don't seem to be making massive progress this week as I'd hoped after finally facing my true gain last week. However TTOM has arrived today so I'll just have to see how things settle down over the next day or two. Fingers crossed!!! :)
This is the final week for the Spring has Sprung Challenge! Thank you so much for all of you who are sticking it out to the end and not giving up no matter how hard it is to stay focused :) And for those of you already asking - I will be running a new challenge. It will be a new year challenge and will start in January to help us all get over the Xmas excess *wink* Stay tuned here for details.
TFTD: "Why not? Why not now? Why not me??"
Cheers P
Wednesday 5th November 2008....
I made a decision.
I had to face the BAD news or I'd waste another week trying to undo damage.
It just had to be done.
*Gulp*
So yesterday morning I went and weighed in early. I had wavered non stop for days as to wether I would or not and most times I decided I would not. I'd work really hard all week then face it next week.
Then I sat down to input some stats and I realised that I was being ridiculous! Many others in my challenge gained yet they faced the music so why shouldn't I?? I could work my ass off all week to achieve a 'loss' next week but because this week's gain wasn't recorded all my hard work wouldn't actually show up on the scales. I also knew that for a few weeks now I have been hovering around 102kg again. Last week I starved and exercised it down to 99.9kg just before weigh-in but of course the next day it was right back up there again. I'd had enough! It was time to own it and move forward. So that is what I did :)
I gained a whopping 2kg this week to reach 101.9kg officially on the WW scales. But...I feel relief that it's behind me and that now I can get on with the task of making this week a week for a SUPER loss!!
Not only am I holding fluid at the moment, I am also sick with a cold type thing and TTOM is also due on Monday. I KNOW that if I work really hard this week, exercise regularly and eat carefully that by next week I should be showing a rather large loss on those scales - and I can't wait!!
I've set myself a mini personal Xmas challenge - to be 96 point something by Christmas. I have set it out on my goals page in 1kg steps and I am going to work my butt of to achieve it before Christmas arrives. I can often work well for a set period with a good motivator and what better motivator then a Xmas day around the pool with friends :)
I've got to pull out all stops to do this and I'm ready to face the challenge!
My exercise for last week was:
Monday - 5am 50min walk with 12 steep hills
- 30min beach stroll
Tuesday - 5am 50min's walk with 12 steep hills
Total: 2hrs
Today I struggled to get out of bed since I was feeling so lousy but I figured I'd just go out and see what I could manage. As it was I slightly shortened my walk and did:
Wednesday - 5am 35min walk with 7 steep hills.
Better then nothing I say ;)
Oh and at long last I have FINALLY posted some pic's of when I had my hair straightened two weeks ago for a party. You can see them here if you are interested :)
Ok....time to get on with this week. Christmas is but 7 weigh-ins away!!!!!!!
TFTD: "Success is very often failure with a new coat of paint!!!"
Cheers P
Monday 3rd November 2008....
Yes I'm still here. Been busy. Been sulking *wink* Been thinking lots.
Am still a little undecided on my thoughts at the moment so I won't say anything for today.
I've just been on to update everyone's stats for the Challenge. WOW are you all doing great!!!
I'll be back tomorrow with much more to say.
I'll have my thoughts straight by then )
TFTD: "Footprints on the sands of time are not made by sitting down!!!"
Cheers P
Thursday 30th October 2008....
I am so frustrated I could scream! Aaaaargh!!!!!!!!
See now that feels better - NOT! *wink*.
I gained last night. 0.5kg. I can't believe it but at the same time I totally can. I have worked my ass off this last week with 6.5hrs of exercise and I ate well all week. I did drink a bit both weekend nights but that was my only sin for the week.
Could I be gaining muscle this week??
Could it all catch up next week for a big loss if I just keep at it???
I don't know.....and just for today....I don't care. I'll be back motivated again tomorrow but for now I'm just too frustrated and cranky to put a positive spin on this one.
TFTD: "It often needs an open mind to keep one's mouth shut!!!"
Cheers P
Wednesday 29th October 2008....
Now before I forget again...let me first tell you today about my latest food discovery. "Skinny Cow" 97% fat free ice-creams! They come in ice-blocks (like choc chip, toffee fudge, vanilla with syrupy choc core etc) and in Sundae cup form. I bought mine from Woolworths in the regular ice block section and I got a mixed box of choc chip and the choc/vanilla ones. I'm not sure of all the points of the various flavours but I know these two at least are only 1.5pt's each. 1.5pt's!!!!! For a delicious, creamy ice-cream treat. I highly recommend them. If you try one let me know what you think?
Ok...well weigh-in day has arrived and I've been working hard.
My exercise for this week has been:
Wednesday - 5am 50min walk with 12 steep hills + 100 crunches + 20 dips
Monday - 5am 50min's walk with 12 steep hills
- 50 step ups + 25 chest/butterfly presses + 25 lateral pull downs
- 1hr lawn mowing
Tuesday - 5am 50min's walk with 12 steep hills
- 45min walk with 50 dips + 700m stair zig zag running + jogging intervals
on pier, running 100m/walking 50m/running 100m etc etc
Wednesday - 5am 50min's walk with 12 steep hills
- 250 crunches
TOTAL: 6hrs 30mins
At this stage I feel like I'm making progress with my fitness. I'm up another 50 crunches per session to 250....I'm cutting time off my walks....and yesterday instead of doing 50m jogging to 50m walking on the pier I upped it to 100m jogging to each 50m walking. I'm tired and sore but I gotta keep up the hard work if I want the results.
I'm not sure what tonight's result will bring but I'm remaining optimistic! Keep you posted :)
I've got quite a few Challenge stats from last week outstanding so if you are one of those who haven't let me know yet could you please do so ASAP. Thanks!
For those of you who were interested I have been trying to post some pic's of my hair from when I had it straightened for the first time for last Friday nights party. I've got some ready but I'm trying to reload my mobile software since our computer crash so I can access the best pic's off my mobile phone camera. I haven't forgotten and will let you know when you can view them.
TFTD: "A women is not finished when she is defeated, she is finished when she quits!!!"
Cheers P
Tuesday 28th October 2008....
Well I'm back for another day....just *wink*
I feel pretty lousy today. Another night in bed at nearly 11pm and up and 5am...I am really exhausted. And now as an added bonus I'm pretty sure I'm coming down with a cold/flu thing :( My throat and head feels lousy and my nose is running. I REALLY REALLY did not want to get up when the alarm went off this morning. I felt like I'd only just closed my eyes. But I knew I had to just do it - so I did.
My exercise for this week so far has been:
Wednesday - 5am 50min walk with 12 steep hills + 100 crunches + 20 dips
Monday - 5am 50min's walk with 12 steep hills
- 50 step ups + 25 chest/butterfly presses + 25 lateral pull downs
- 1hr lawn mowing
Tuesday - 5am 50min's walk with 12 steep hills
This afternoon I am planning a session of stair zigzag's and pier running sprints with dips in the park along the way. Only one more day until weigh-in and I'm still looking at a gain when I check my home scales. Nooo!!!!!!!!!
Must. Work. Harder!
Oooh exciting news!!!! Talyn just did his first #2 in the potty!!!!!!! Wahoooo!!!
p.s hair straightened pics to come tomorrow.
TFTD: "It's not how you begin but how you finish the race that matters!!"
Cheers P
Monday 27nd October 2008....
Yikes.....the last few days have gone by fast. Since my last entry life has been a bit of a whirlwind to say the least! I'll use Friday as a perfect example....get boys up,dressed, fed, housework done etc then get Caleb to school at 8.30am. 9.00am playdate at a friends house with Talyn until 11.30 then home for his lunch and nap. 12.30pm nail appointment, 2.00pm laser appointment, 2.30pm hair appointment, get home and get boys off to Granny's for sleepover before going to Scotty's birthday party at 4.30pm until 1am the next morning. Yep it was a busy one alright!!! :)
Sadly I went off track with my exercise a bit and had three days off but with the exception of my vodka intake Friday (party) and Saturday (pub) night my food was at least ok.
I gotta tell you all...I had my hair straightened for the very first time for the party on Friday night and OH MY GOD!!!! I'm in love!!! I cannot believe what a huge difference it made to my appearance. It cost $25 for the hairdresser to do it and it lasted right through from Friday arvo until I washed it this morning. Tomorrow I'll upload some pic's of it to show you all and you can tell me what you think?
My exercise for this week so far has been:
Wednesday - 5am 50min walk with 12 steep hills + 100 crunches + 20 dips
Monday - 5am 50min's walk with 12 steep hills
- 50 step ups + 25 chest/butterfly presses + 25 lateral pull downs
I'm still planning a third hour of exercise for today yet....probably an hour of mowing this afternoon depending on the weather. No time for slacking off now!! Need to undo some of the weekends alcohol damage or I'll be facing a gain and I really don't want that!!
TFTD: "Never let yesterday take up too much of today!!"
Cheers P
Wednesday 22nd October 2008....
Finally!!!! I'm back. Our antivirus expired and it's taken us two days just to get the computer back, formatted and reload the basics. Still much to do and retrieve but at least I can do a quick update today. Quick it shall be too since my f*ckig 'n' key is not working again and I have to paste in each one!!! Grrr. next moth we get a new PC...can't wait for that!!!!
My exercise for last week was:
Thursday - 5am: 50min walk with 8 steep hills (in the rain!)
Friday - 5am: 45min walk with 8 steep hills (in the rain again!!)
-200 crunches (100 straight up and 50 to each side)
Saturday - 25 min walk home from hairdressers
- 45 min walk with 8 steep hillsSunday: - 70min walk pushing Talyn on the trike
Monday: - 5am: 45 min walk with 8 steep hills
- 45min walk with 50 dips + 700m stair zig zag running + jogging intervals
on pier, running 50m/walking 50m/running 50m etc etc
Tuesday: - 5am: 45 min walk with 9 steep hills + 200 crunches + 10 push-ups
Total: 6hrs 40min's
I weighed in a day early this week on Tuesday morning and the result was a loss of 0.7kg. This brought me back to the 90's once more so that was great. I had hoped for a bigger result but who am I kidding? That's 2.6kg I've lost it 3 wk's now and I know that's good for me so I'm just going to keep at it. Slow and steady wins the race after all :)
My exercise for this week so far has been:
Wednesday - 5am 50min walk with 12 steep hills + 100 crunches + 20 dips
I changed my route slightly to increase the hills from 8 to 12 and boy does that make for a intense 50min walk....one hill after the other. But so long as it brings results I'm happy.
Ok...enough for now. Pasting the 'n' in each time is driving me nuts!!!!
Will chat more tomorrow when I can type freely :)
TFTD: "Things turn out the best for people who make the best of how things turn out!!!"
Cheers P
Saturday 18th October 2008....
Ahh sweet Saturdays :) Love my weekends. Usually on a Saturday I'm very hung over, tired and feeling guilty for what I have consumed the night before. Friday and Saturday night are without a doubt my highest diet danger moments for the whole week. Not this week though!!
Last night we went out as planned. Simon and I and another couple went to a local tavern for dinner and drinks then to their house for cards/poker and some more drinks. At dinner I ordered skinless chicken breast and avocado that came with chips and a salad. I had maybe 3 of my chips and left the rest on my plate to be taken away - Hoorah!!
On a usual Friday night I would drink anywhere up to 10 or more vodka and redbull. Last night I promised to exercise moderation in my drinking and that I did. I had 4 x vodka redbull's with dinner then I had two sugar free Vodka Cruisers at their house...that's it! If only the sugar free vodka RTD's were available over the bar at my usual haunt I'd be a much better girl every week *wink* We were home by 11pm and I was in bed by midnight so that meant I wasn't half as tired as I usually would be when I woke this morning at 7am.
Today after Talyn's swimming lessons I had an appointment at the hairdressers for a colour and trim. Today I asked Simon to drop me off there so I could walk home as bonus exercise. This was all well and good until I realised I'd bought no hair tie (can't stand hair out when exercising - there is a LOT of it it and it's very hot!) and my shoes were a terrible choice. I was only 10-15min's from home when I had to ring him and ask him to pick me up as the growing blister on my foot was agony :( Still I managed to get in a 25min walk up to that point so that was a bonus.
Then after we all had a nap we took the boys to an indoor play centre for the afternoon. Great fun but always very challenging to avoid their yummy food there. Especially when Simon ordered a plate of hot salty chips and gravy!!!!! I am very proud to tell you though that not a single chip passed my lips....not even when I handled them to cool some down for Talyn. Instead I had a sugar free Pepsi Max drink and left it at that. I'm really really pleased with that success!!!
After the play centre it was home to get the boys bathed/fed etc and get washing in and put it away....yada, yada, yada all the usual jobs. Then I remembered!! I'd wanted to do another hours exercise this afternoon. It was already after 5pm and dark was about an hour away. What's a girl to do??? Get up and do it that's what! So I did. I did my usual walking route with 8 steep hills and for the second day running it took only 45min's instead of the usual 50min's. So I've shaved 5min's off my time. Ripper!
My exercise for this week so far has been:
Thursday - 50min walk with 8 steep hills (in the rain!)
Friday - 45min walk with 8 steep hills (in the rain again & I had to leave at 5am!!)
-200 crunches (100 straight up and 50 to each side)
Saturday - 25 min walk home from hairdressers
- 45 min walk with 8 steep hillsConsidering how on a normal week, after a Wednesday night weigh-in, I get to Sunday before I usually begin the last minute panic exercise for my week....this week I've already done 3hrs and it's only Saturday!!!
A few people have commented on my exercise this week and last and how well it's gone. Some have "wished" they could do the same. What's to wish for?? Wishing won't do any good. Just do it! I realised a week or so ago that I had to stop talking about all the weight loss goals I had, how "badly" I wanted it etc etc. Talking the talk was completely and utterly useless unless I was prepared to walk the walk. If I wanted to get fit, toned and healthy I had to make that a priority in my life. With young kids to distract us, slow us down and sometimes totally wig out, sustained exercise can be hard. So in my case I made it a priority to get up at 5am every morning and claim the only guaranteed time of the day that I could be sure to get an hour to myself to exercise uninterrupted. Sure....getting up that early is awful. I'm tired and exhausted and at times cranky from lack of sleep...but it does get easier. The body clock adjusts, the workout get's a little easier and the satisfaction I get from a session well done makes it all worthwhile in the end. It all comes down to whether or not you REALLY TRULY want it or not?
How hard are you willing to work for it? What are you willing to give up? How long are you willing to waste before you begin to put in the work required to get the results. For me that wasting/waiting time is over. I'm going to bed every night knowing I am doing my best to get to my goals. I'm setting a great fitness example for my kids and every day I'm doing my bit to ensure I'm around longer for them. And I'm feeling much better about myself to boot. It's hardly a tough choice when you look at it that way.
I must say that for me personally one other thing has helped this last two weeks. Our main partner in crime, our best mate Scotty, and his family (including his sister who is my friend and her 5 kids) have all gone up north for an 11 night holiday. We've been lost without our social life fixtures. Scotty usually has dinner with us 3-4 nights a week and not doing that this week has meant less food temptations, more time to exercise when I don't have to pick him up for tea etc, and just generally less social stuff has allowed me to TOTALLY focus on my diet/exercise. Here's hoping I can keep that up after he returns on Wednesday ;) Poor Simon is missing his mate too as Scotty works full time for us so Simon has been working without his offsider for the last week. Even Caleb and Talyn miss them all since each have a best mate in their kids. What were they thinking leaving us??? *tee-he-he*
Speaking of leaving, I was saying in yesterdays entry that our Xmas plans were now totally trashed since Simon's sister decided to move way up north in 3 wk's time. Today I found out that Simon's mom and brother will likely go there for Xmas now instead (we had all planned to be on Fraser Island for Xmas together) which leaves us all alone. We are actually excited about this though. It will be our very first Xmas alone with just us and the kids and we love that idea. No time schedules, no plans to fit in with....just us and the boys enjoying our day with our own little family. The only catch is I doubt I'll cook a big Xmas lunch for just us?? We'll have a big cooked breakfast, and we already have dinner plans with Scotty's family....but lunch?? Well I'll have to give that some thought?? I'm thinking seafood and a day at the beach with the boys could be in order?
Speaking of the beach...I'm heading that way tomorrow. Simon has to work for most of the day (dam Scotty's holidays! *wink*) so I've got the boys to occupy. I've decided to take them on a massive walk (pushing Talyn on his trike) along the Esplanade, out to the end of the pier and back, then on further still to a park for morning tea and a play. Then the walk back to the car....all up should take at least 60-90 walking time alone + play time. Big day for them to wear them out and have fun and lot's of exercise for Mummy. See what I mean....if it's a priority there is always a way :)
Well enough babble for me. Yikes I've dribbled on for ages tonight. Since Simon and I were going to grab ourselves what my mom always called a 'knock-up-tea' tonight I had planned to make an egg salad. But instead I'm having a low fat subway roll instead and fruit and yoghurt for dessert. No Saturday night munchies for me tonight!! :) I'm even going to soak in a nice long bubbly spa bath....it keeps my hands away from food and soothes my tired muscles. A few nice scented candles and it's like a mini luxury retreat *wink*
Honestly....it feels great to be doing well for a change. I don't want anything to mess that up!
TFTD: "Enthusiasm is contagious - start an epidemic!!!"
Cheers P
Friday 17th October 2008....
Got some shocking news last night....my sister in law...who we were going to spend Xmas with is now moving. Not just moving....but moving like to the back of burke!!! So no Xmas on Fraser Island for us. So I guess I may be hosting it after all for my mother in law and brother in law?? Will have to give it some more thought?? The idea of staying home around the pool and in the cool air-con does appeal....but the alternative was going to be Xmas day on Fraser Island - hard to go wrong there *wink* Oh well - we still have 11wk's to work something out.
Oooh did I tell you!? I completed all of my Xmas gift shopping this week! We buy for 25 people and it's all done now!! All stashed away up the top of my wardrobe in suitcases...all I have left to do is to wrap it now. I'm SUPER stoked it's all done and that's one thing I don't have to worry about this silly season.
I'm still worried about the coming heat of summer though....so I have to work HARDER, FASTER, STRICTER to meet my goals and reach the magic 80's by Xmas if I could manage it? Even low 90s would see me stoked! ;)
And the best way to move towards those goals is exercise, exercise, exercise!
My exercise for this week so far has been:
Thursday - 50min walk with 8 steep hills (in the rain!)
Friday - 45min walk with 8 steep hills (in the rain again & I had to leave at 5am!!)
-200 crunches (100 straight up and 50 to each side)
I'm planning on clocking up a few hours over the weekend too. I tell you I am super motivated right now!! :)
Just a reminder, don't forget to pop over to the forum where you can read the views of other people who visit this site, other challengers and if you are feeling that way inclined...share some of your own thoughts too. Kylie has made a great post there this week which really got me thinking about my long term goals. About what happens after goal??? I'd love to hear your thoughts on it. Check it out here.
Tonight we have Granny lined up to babysit but I'm not sure what our plans are yet?? I know Simon and I will be going out either to the pub or a friends house, and alcohol will be involved...but for once I plan to exercise moderation!! Keep you posted :)
TFTD: "If you don't do the work you don't get the benefits!!!"
Cheers P
Thursday 16th October 2008....
Well last night's result was good - as I'd hoped. In fact it was bloody great!! I was stoked to register a loss of 1.6kg for the week :) I almost got back to the 90s (100.1kg) and now my loss of 1.9kg for the first two weeks of the challenge makes me VERY happy indeed!!
This morning, being Thursday, is a day that traditionally I never exercise. I usually work until nearly midnight so I tend to take it pretty easy in the morning. Then I'm so tired on Friday that I never exercise then either. But not this week!!
I actually worked 8.30-4.00pm today doing a MIND NUMBING day of computer training for a new mental health computer system being introduced into our service. This meant I had no excuse not to get up at 5.15am. Until I did that is. And found it raining!
But I tell you I am a women on a mission at the moment....a mission to be back to 90kg or less when the heat of summer arrives and so....I went anyway!! I changed the white shirt I had out for a darker one (didn't feel up to putting on a wet T-shirt show for the early morning traffic *wink*) and I grabbed my umbrella and off I went. The worst part was that I had to leave my iPod home in case it got wet - I love working out to good, loud music!
I can tell you I was pleased as punch with myself. Getting stuck into a new week and not letting a bit of rain stop me :) Even this afternoon when I got home it was drizzly rain and I wondered what we'd do with the boys to fill in the afternoon until tea time and yet stay active. So we popped them in the car and drove to the beach. We wandered around, exploring the shells, Caleb found several starfish he played with, Talyn LOVED splashing in the shallows and it was a great yet simple family outing. Free, active and fun. The best sort :)
I also worried about tea....given that I was working until the later afternoon I worried that I would be tempted by take away. But I fixed that little problem too. After my workout this morning (which by the way was a 50min walk route including 8 steep hills)...I came home and made tonight's tea in the slow cooker before I went to work. It was a super easy pea and ham soup (1 pkt split green peas, 2 onions quartered, 1kg diced bacon chunks and a few cups of water). The whole family loves it and it makes a massive amount so we all have it for tea (oh my god did the boys scoff into it!) and then Simon often tucks into the leftovers for days to come. I try not to have the leftovers because it is fairly salty but one meal of it is no drama and it is soup after all so fairly light. I would usually have bread or dinner rolls with it too but tonight I didn't want any carbs so I gave it a miss.
Which brings me to my next food challenge that I survived today. Being at work and out of my routine I had to buy something from the hospital shop for lunch. I walked in to see the massive hot box brimming full of fried foods like spring rolls, chips, creamy pasta's, chicken drumsticks...you name it - if it was tasty and high fat they had it! I had a moment when that old voice came back saying...oh it's only day 1 of the week, you can take today off and start tomorrow. But then I thought about how good last nights result felt and knew I REALLY wanted to maintain my momentum into this week as well. So I asked them to make me up a roll specially instead :) I had a chicken, pineapple, avocado, lettuce and alfalfa roll and it was yum-yum-yummy! It was a HUGE white roll though which is why I certainly wanted to avoid any more carbs tonight. But all the same I felt I made a good choice and it felt GOOD!
I really am pumped at the moment and I want the momentum to continue on. Tomorrow Simon has to go to work early so if I want to walk I have to get up at 4.50am. Good reason to skip tomorrow right? But I aint doing it!!!! I'll be up and out the door at 5am and I'll be really glad I did. With kids and weather factors it's the only time of the day I can guarantee free time to myself to workout and it's something I am making a priority. Summer is coming after all. I plan to be ready for it!! :)
TFTD: "Unless you start doing something different you are in for more of the same!!!"
Cheers P
Wednesday 15th October 2008....
Weigh-in day has arrived and for once I'm excited about what it will reveal. I think it's going to be a very good loss this week :) Bring it on!!!
I've certainly worked very hard with exercise this week and eaten really carefully so I feel I deserve a good result.
My exercise for this week so far has been:
Sunday - 1hr lawn mowing
Monday - 50min walk with 8 steep hills
Tuesday -50min walk with 8 steep hills
-40min walk with 30 dips + 30 pushups + 14 x 50m jogging intervals on pier
Wednesday - 50min walk with 8 steep hills
-30min walk pushing Talyn's trike (play/M'tea in park) then another 30min's
back to car.
That's 6hrs over 7 sessions in total in the last 4 days!!!
I am seriously in pain from my butt down that's for sure!!! My leg muscles hurt with every step *wink*
Tomorrow I shall return with the (hopefully) good news :)
TFTD: "Take care of your body, it's the only place you have to live!!!"
Cheers P
Tuesday 14th October 2008....
I'm on a roll and feeling good :)
I was out at 5.30am again this morning for another 50min walk with 8 steep hills. This afternoon I'm going to run intervals on the pier again, walk and do dips and push-ups (but I think I'll skip the stairs today?). I think Simon is coming with the boys this time so they can play on the pier/beach until I'm done.
So that I'm not tempted by take away I've already done tonight's vege's and am preparing a cottage pie now so it's ready just to heat up when we get back. With heart smart lean mince of course *wink*
My exercise for this week so far has been:
Sunday - 1hr lawn mowing
Monday - 50min walk with 8 steep hills
- 50min walk with 30 dips + stair running + 14 x 50m jogging intervals on pierTuesday -50min walk with 8 steep hills
So far so good :)
I must confess I had a peek on the scales this morning and they are looking F.I.N.E fine :) Bring on tomorrow's weigh-in I say :)
I did however read a great article today at www.sparkpeople.com about not placing so much emphasis on the scales. Boy do I need to remember that some weeks!! They asked how we would measure our success if we had no scales? It was a very valid point. They suggested alternative measures of success could include:
Body Measures – dress size, waist, hips, neck, arms, fitting into favorite clothes
Performance – more endurance during exercise, doing them at a higher level, jumping higher, walking longer, running faster, playing a sport better
General Feeling – rate energy level, rate attitude and outlook, track how often you feel very sleepy during the day, rate your confidence level
Health – blood pressure, cholesterol level, blood sugar level
Intangibles – how you look, compliments you receive, how others respond to you
I think there is some great points for us all to consider there :)
Yesterday I did almost all of my Xmas gift shopping and today I should be able to finish the last of it. Yey for this being my most organised Xmas ever!!!! :) Have a great day everyone!
TFTD: "If you cannot find happiness along the road you will not find it at the end!!!"
Cheers P
Monday 13th October 2008....
Hoorah! All my keyboard keys are working today - that's a good start *wink*
Now before I go any further I must talk first about the current Challenge. The Spring has Sprung Challenge. You people are on FIRE!!! Seriously :) I've still got 3 stats from week one outstanding but already we have lost over 14kg as a group!! That's more then some challenges lost in total! So BRAVO for everyone's effort. I can't wait to see what we'll make by the end of this one :)
Today I have been on fire myself *tee-he* I've eaten great all day: rice crackers and tuna for a late b'fast, WW frozen dinner, coke zero and watermelon for lunch and chicken curry with brown rice and vege's for tea (recipe for that to follow below), that's it.
This morning I got up at 5.15am and went out to workout. I walked for 50min's but created a route that included 8 - yes 8! - really steep hills. Boy what a walk that was I can tell you! :)
This afternoon I went out again for another 50min's but this time I hit the Esplanade. I started off walking until I got to this huge set of stairs that go down to the beach. There are about 7 huge concrete steps (each knee high) and the staircase runs about 100m or more along the beach front. So I went along them but I zigzagged up and down all the way. Down was steep, up was torture because of the height of each step but it will do wonders for my ass I'm sure *wink*. Then I kept walking until I got to the pier. It's about 890m long and I walk/run all the way out to the end and back. Running to one light post, walking to the next, running to one lightpost....etc etc. Then to finish off I walked back to my car but again did the zigzag steps all the way to work the other leg and then stopped off at a bench seat for 30 dips before I was done. And boy was I done!!!
I took some pic's on my mobile to show you these stairs and pier since I talk about them a bit. You can see them for yourself here.
Yesterday afternoon I also did a solid hour of lawn mowing so all up the exercise is looking good for this week. I'm planning to do similar to what I did today (2 x 1hr sessions) for tomorrow and a 1hr session Wednesday morning also. That should put me in a good position for Wednesday nights weigh-in :)
Ok....now I promised you a recipe for today. Tonight I tried a new dish and one I never ever cook - curry! As you all know I LOVE my slow cooker so when I saw a slow cooker dish for curried chicken I thought I'd give it a bash :)
SLOW COOKER MILD CHICKEN CURRY (serves 6)
-McCormick's Slow Cooker Mild Chicken Curry recipe pkt
-2 potatoes, peeled and roughly chopped
-2 onions chopped
-1kg skinless chicken thigh fillets
-1 x 375 can Coconut flavoured Carnation evaporated skim milk (they recommended real coconut milk of course but the difference being 5.5 pt's for a skinny can or 14.5pt's for the real thing - hardly a choice there I say!)
Method:
All I had to do was pop it all in the slow cooker, cook on low for 8hrs and serve...Voila! As I'd just got home form my arvo exercise session I was looking for an easy meal and this was perfect. I used a pkt of Uncle Ben's brown rice (the type you put the whole pkt in the microwave as is and cook for 2min's...done!!) and I mixed into it a half pkt of stir fry vege's I had left over in the freezer. So within 5min's of arriving home I was able to serve a delish chicken curry on brown rice and mixed veg.
Per serve: 5pt's + rice 1.5pt's.
Total 6.5pt's for a yummy and very filling dinner :)
In between all my exercise today I also managed to clock up some serious shopping with Talyn. Within 2hrs today I had finished over 3/4 of my Xmas gift shopping. I had it planned, in lists (I am the list queen!) and I wasn't swayed by impulse buys. Tomorrow and Wednesday I should have it all finished then I'm going to wrap them all on the weekend. Then I can sit back and let the Xmas chaos pass me by this year!!! :)
Oooh yeah! :)
One low note for today was discovering our pool's sand filter is caput! We've had the pool in for about 7yrs and the new filter we have to get tomorrow will set us back over $800!!! Crikey I'd better get swimming this year to get my money's worth out of that little outlay ;)
TFTD: "When you believe you can, you can!!!"
Cheers P
Sunday 12th October 2008....
My dammed "n" key wont work again today. Why does it keep coming and going? Having to paste in each one drives me nuts so I'll come back tomorrow for another go at catching up on the latest.
In the meantime I have updated the latest Challenge stats....WOW girls and guys - we are On FIRE!!! :)
TFTD: "The thing to try when all else fails is again!!!"
Cheers P
Thursday 9th October 2008....
Can't stop to chat today sorry. not only is my n not working and I have to paste each one in which drives me CRAZY!!!....but also I have to get ready for work. Running very late today!!! Will tell all tomorrow but short version....had a loss this week of 0.3kg. Happy with that :) Talk more tomorrow :)
TFTD: "In an argument the best weapon to hold is the tongue???"
Cheers P
Tuesday 7th October 2008....
I made a mistake today. I stood on the scales. I was not impressed. As of this morning I am looking at a small gain for the week. DAMMITT!!!! I was immediately totally bummed out and felt like acting out and saying - ahh to hell with it!!
Then I got to thinking. Come on Paulene.....let's be realistic. So you've tracked this week and did some exercise and for the most part ate really well. But don't for one second think you can forget two massive pub nights with about 30pt's of alcohol consumed for the week!!
It's so easy to think 'oh Woah is me I'm trying so hard and getting no where' but we can really pull the wool over our own eyes when we want to. This would be a more realistic line of thinking....
"ok...so I may not lose much this week, if at all. I've worked really hard on my tracking, food choices and exercise. I really overdid it with alcohol though on the weekend. I can let this get to me and blow out and eat something bad then feel even worse afterwards when I realised I've only moved my goals further away instead of closer. OR....I can just keep at it. Keep tracking, keep exercising, keep doing the best I can. Come tomorrow nights weigh-in....yes I may still gain (or I could lose a small amount)....but if I keep at this and not focus too much on this week's result I should be fairly certain of a great result by next week. So that I shall do :)
Day 5/Week1:
*Points - 28/25 That's not counting the bonus points I earned for exercise y'day.*Exercise - 2 x 30min brisk walk pushing trike (4.4km total) - 25 dips
- 25 push-ups*2 things I did well - When asked to make an impromptu dessert last night I whipped up one using a fresh banana sliced and a tub of low fat choc
custard (2.5pt's total)
- I did a super session of exercise yesterday
*I could do better - Work out points ahead of actually eating them *wink**New recipe for the week - Chicken Chasseur Pie-Maggi 'Chicken Chasseur' Ready Meal pkt mix made as directed with skinless chicken thigh fillets, tomato paste, onion and mushroom.-1 sheet of reduced fat puff pastry-Make and cook chicken chasseur dish as directed on pkt. Pour intopie dish and top with pastry. Trim and cook in 180 degree oven for20min's or until pastry is browned (serves 4) 5.5 pt's per serve-I served mine with fresh corn on the cob (1.5pt), steamed carrot. zucchini, broccoli, cauliflower, cheese sauce (1pt), mashed potato (2pt)and a small buffet roll (1pt). Yummy!!!I am really sore still today in my neck and back from the push-up injury yesterday. It was REALLY sore last night but I'm hoping it will improve today. For this morning I am planning another 1hr walk with Talyn only this time instead of including push-ups and dips I'll include steps, squats and lunges. Let you know how I go :)
TFTD: "Life is full of choices. Which choices are you making???"
Cheers P
Monday 6th October 2008....
Phew, the weekend is done, school holidays are over and Caleb is back at school today. I feel like I need another weekend to get over this one now *wink*
Let's see....let me catch up a little. Saturday night, as planned we all went out for the night with friends to the pub. It was a big night out, many drinks - far too many and as usual never enough sleep...but great fun! A really great night :)
Day 3/Week1:
*Points - 30/25 (bugger...5pt's over again and that's not including the 15pt's I drank in vodka/redbull that night. Oops!
*Exercise - Nil*2 things I did well - I ate a WW frozen dinner before we went out so I didn't join the others in greasy pub grub. I made myself stop my crazy busy
morning to make a quick breakfast (baked beans on a slice of toast)
rather than just skipping it as I usually would.
*I could do better - Not gone out for another pub night after last nights.*New recipe for the week - not tried yet.Sunday was a great day too. We woke to an empty house for the first time since Talynwas born, with both boys having had a sleepover at Granny's for the previous night. We got up about 7am (dam body clocks!)...had a yummy cooked breaky then went back to bed at 9am and slept until 10.45am. Oh my god that was such a treat!!
After the boys came home and had lunch, Talyn went down for a nap and I went grocery shopping. Then by the time I got home and packed that away, got the boys an early tea and began to think about baths etc I got a phone call offering a dinner invite at the last minute at our friends house! Talyn had already had such a big day and as dinner wasn't going to start until over an hour after his bedtime we decided Caleb and I would accept the invite while Simon stayed home with Talyn.
It was a great night but I didn't make good food choices :( It was a BBQ and I should have resisted the yummy home made potato/egg salad and the creamy shop bought coleslaw - but I didn't....D'oh! I did pile up on the point free salad, had half a boiled egg, 1 sausage and a very small piece of steak....but still. Needless to say I need to be VERY careful for the remaining three days of this week now.
Day 4/Week1:
*Points - Not sure??? Lost count when I got to the BBQ with homemade salads etc. At least there was no alcohol this time *wink*
*Exercise - Nil*2 things I did well - I said no thanks to the delish looking cheese cake and chocolate Bavarian that was offered to me for dinner. I still tracked it all -
even if I'm not sure on the points I tracked what I ate.
*I could do better - Should have stuck to just steak and free salad.*New recipe for the week - not tried yet.So that brings us to today. I'm tracking still, and this morning I've got another great exercise session in. I strapped Talyn onto his trike down the Esplanade and walked 30min's/2.2km to a park. We stopped there for 20min's while Talyn had a play and some morning tea, then we turned around and walked the 30min's/2.2km back to the car. Along the way I also did 25 dips and 25 push-ups.
The worse thing was that on the last push-up I pulled some muscle or something as my neck is VERY sore and I cannot tilt my right ear down towards my right shoulder without mind-numbing pain shooting down into my back. Hmmm....am hoping that clears up by tomorrow?
Now that Caleb is back at school I am planning on doing today's exercise session again the next two mornings too. Although instead of dips/push-ups I'll do lunges/steps/staircases etc to get maximum variety and also to avoid my sore neck/back muscles until they are healed.
So although my weekend left a lot to be desired points wise I still feel it was a success for me. I had some minor victories. I avoided some pitfalls. I tracked through everything despite the slip-ups and I'm right back at it today and going strong :) I really want to kick my butt on this challenge!
Week 1 of the challenge has now officially begun for everyone. Whatever day you normally weigh for this week is the results you will give me for week 1. Best of luck!!!
TFTD: "When in doubt - tell the truth!!!!"
Cheers P
Saturday 4th October 2008....
The weekend is here....Hoorah!
As I sit here in my study typing this, something very exciting is happening right outside my window. Simon and Caleb are busy double paling our fence - something we've been "gunna" get around to doing for the last 7yrs since we built this house!! The existing fence is a 50m long, 6ft high wooden fence down the side of our property but on that side it has very wide gaps between the palings. Not only are the most recent rentals on that side less then model neighbours, they never mow their grass and their terror children poke steak knives through the fence at our boys. So now we get the bonus of completely shutting them, their mess, their foul screaming language (at their kids no less!) and their projectiles out of our vision and yard but also we now have complete privacy in our pool and back yard. This was the last side we needed to do this on so now that it's being done we will spend a lot more time in our backyard and pool without worrying if we are being watched etc and we'll know the boys are safe. Even here on the computer I no longer have to look into their windows beside me. Now we have our massive 1/4 acre backyard all to ourselves and I couldn't be more thrilled. It was $400 worth of timber and screws but boy was it worth every cent!!! :) It's hot, hard labour for Simon and Caleb but I'm keeping up a steady supply of ice cold water and frosty beer for them (yes the beer is for Simon!).
Ok...so it's Saturday. Which means last night was Friday....my pub night and usually a bad day for points when I start the day really tired, looking for an energy hit and end the day really drunk, looking for a late dinner when I come home *wink*
Day 2/Week1:
*Points - 33.5/25 (total of 55/50 for the week so far) Given that I drank 12pt's in vodka and redbull alone last night I'm happy with that. I only have 5pt's
to make up in the next 5 days :)
*Exercise - Nil*2 things I did well - Drinking 1L of water, tracking religiously, even on a pub night!*I could do better - I didn't eat any fruit or dairy.*New recipe for the week - not tried yet.I'm really happy with how this week is going! I'm stoked that I'm tracking religiously for the first time in months - even on a pub night and all!
Tonight Talyn is having his first sleep over at Granny's house (with his big brother Caleb who's done it plenty but is very excited to have Talyn there tonight too for the first time!) Simon and I are both having a night out together with our best mate Scotty and two of his younger female cousins who are visiting from interstate. I'm really looking forward to it too! And I'm really looking forward to waking up in a child free house together tomorrow morning, after a sleep in, for the first time in over two years!!!!!
I've been thrilled to see new participants for the Spring Has Sprung Challenge flowing in all week too! We now have 18 people participating and may still get more yet before it closes for registration tomorrow. The more people in the challenge the bigger the numbers we loose and hopefully the more participation we'll have on the forum!
Well enough for now. With the big boys working outside and the little boy sleeping I'm going to take this opportunity to have some lunch then lay down and read/nap for a little while to get over last night and get ready for tonight :)
I'm really happy that I've been making it here every day for an update too! I hope you all are enjoying reading it :)
TFTD: "The first step is always the hardest!!!!"
Cheers P
Friday 3rd October 2008....
Well day one of my new focus went off with a bang!!!
I tell you I am so motivated right now! After seeing those numbers creep back up over the 100kg mark AGAIN and this time seeing them keep on creeping - well let's just say it was the shock I needed. That combined with Summer's stinking temperatures coming back, Christmas day on a tropical Island to look forward to and a brand new Challenge to motivate me ... I am ready to kick scale ass!!!! *wink*
This is the start weight week of the new challenge so anyone wanting to join has until Sunday to do so. Come on - what have you got to lose other than some fat??? ;)
In line with my new focus I've done much better with regular updates. Weekends are hit and miss depending on what's happening but I am trying to update every week day at least! It's the least I can do for all those who bother tuning in. I currently have about 25-35 unique visitors each day from all over the world...and if you are one of the silent readers...be brave and say hi in my guestbook, I'd love to hear from you :)
And don't forget our forum...where you can share as little or as much as you like with fellow readers/challengers :)
So let me show you the format I'm going to try to work to for the duration of this challenge:
Day 1/Week1: *Points - 21.5/25 (My points drop down to 23 once I get below 100kg again)*Exercise - 45min walk pushing Talyn in his trike and including hill climbs - 30 dips - 30 push-ups*2 things I did well - Exercise on a Thursday and drinking 750mL water (a miracle for me believe me!)
*I could do better - I didn't eat any fruit.*New recipe for the week - not tried yet.I hope that this format will make it easy for others to see how I'm going, thus make me more accountable to my goals also.
Yesterday felt good to do well. I had to work until nearly midnight last night so traditionally I do very little in the morning before I go to work after lunch. But as this was day one of the challenge and I really want great results I figured why not do something?? So I lathered us all in sunscreen, strapped Talyn into his trike and Caleb walked while I pushed him. We went to a nearby park to explore where we'd not been before then on to another park where they had swings/slides etc for a play and morning tea before heading home.
Today, being Friday has it's own challenges. For one I am always dead tired from working late so I always look to food for a quick energy hit and I will work hard today to avoid that. I also drink at the pub most Friday nights so I'll have to stay low point today and use some exercise bonus points for the week to make up for my drinks. Every new challenge is really just an opportunity to make it work. I'm ready to work!!!!
TFTD: "The shortest way to do many things is to do only one thing at a time!!!!"
Cheers P
Thursday 2nd October 2008....
Well I knew last nights weigh in would be bad...but Yikes!! 1.5kg gain was more then I'd expected. But I'm super glad I faced it (when I almost did not).....I'm super glad I've owned up to it here and now I can put it behind me and move forward.
It's also great that it is reflected as my challenge start weight because that means when I kick ass the next 6 wk's every bit of effort will show :)
I know I've set my challenge goal kind of high (5.8kg in 6wk's) but I wanted to give it everything I have to get below my lowest weight since having Talyn. I also know that I may have a big loss in week 1 as I really knuckle down again once more so hopefully that will give me a good head start on my goal.
In any case - I'm ready!!!!!!!! Can't wait to get back here tomorrow and let you all know how day one went :) Honestly - I'm so pumped!!!!
TFTD: "Victory belongs to the most persevering!!!!"
Cheers P
Wednesday 1st October 2008....
Well tonight I face those dreaded scales and the dreaded gain I expect but I face them with enthusiasm. I have a great feeling about this challenge and what I may be able to achieve throughout it!! I'm going to give it my all.
On that note I hope to update here most days. There may still be the odd day I cannot update due to various life distractions (or in my case various computer spinouts) but I'll do my best to do at least 5 days a week.
Each entry during the challenge will have the following information at a mimimum:
-Points consumed the previous day vs daily allowance
-Exercise performed
-New recipe that I've tried each week
-Two things I've done well and one thing I could do better each day to keep my motivated and goal focused.
After weighing in tonight my challenge week 1 begins first thing tomorrow morning. (Each challenger begins different days depending on their weigh-in day but we all start and finish within one week of each other).
Wish me luck!!!!! :)
TFTD: "Things do not change - WE change!!!!"
Cheers P
Next Goals!!!
- Back to 100.x on the scales
- Drink 600ml water each day this week.
Full list of goals here
Santa 2008
